Read Irish-Set Mysteries After Watching How to Get to Heaven From Belfast

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Netflix’s new crime series How to Get to Heaven From Belfast is a laugh-out-loud, fast talking, Irish crime series that reunites high school friends for a mystery when one of their own dies. It’s a perfect watch for fans of Derry Girls (Netflix) and Bad Sisters (Apple TV).

I will always pick up a crime novel that is set in Ireland and I hope this show will inspire more. If you’ve watched the Netflix series—or just want an Irish setting for a mystery and thriller read—I’ve got some Irish set novels that blend parts of the show, from complicated friendships to procedurals focused on past crimes.

cover image for Dirty Laundrycover image for Dirty LaundryDirty Laundry by Disha Bose

If you want more past and present storylines and complicated friendships!

Ciara Dunphy lives in a village near Dublin, Ireland and comes off as the woman people envy. But of course “having it all” is never the reality. She’s found dead after a “fall” down the stairs which leads to her perfect facade cracking and the question of who knows her secrets? When fingers start pointing and you need to save yourself, would you air out everyone’s dirty laundry?

Ask No Questions by Claire Allan

If you want more twists, a decades old crime getting attention, and someone ensuring the past stays in the past!

More than 30 years ago, Kelly Doherty was killed in Derry while trick-or-treating. Now the man convicted of her murder is claiming his innocence as he’s released from prison and journalist Ingrid Devlin is digging into the case. It’s not soon after that she gets her first warning and realizes that things aren’t adding up…

The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan cover imageThe Ruin by Dervla McTiernan cover imageThe Ruin by Dervla McTiernan

If you want more past childhood stories affecting a current mystery and to follow multiple characters!

Twenty years ago, Cormac Reilly was a young cop when he took Jack and Maude, two young children, from their home where their mother was dead. Now Jack has died by suicide and even though Maude no longer had a relationship with him she knows he didn’t die by suicide. Cormac, now a seasoned detective, is assigned the case.

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